NFL Week 7 Scouting Report: Rams host Steelers

by Christina "Tina" Rivers (3Rivers_Writer) on October 19, 2023

Steel City Underground will provide fans in Steelers Nation a pre-game scouting report of each of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ opponents during each week of the 2023 NFL regular season, comprised of items from top storylines and insights.

The Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) exit their bye by going on the road to visit the Los Angeles Rams (3-3) in Week 7 of the 2023 NFL regular season. Here we’ll look at the news and storylines coming out of L.A. ahead of the game on Sunday, October 22.

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Rams hobbled in run game?

Los Angeles knew they had an issue with health at the running back position, and on Wednesday they placed Ronnie Rivers on injured/reserved due to a PCL sprain that is expected to keep him out for up to five weeks. Fellow rusher Kyren Williams, who suffered a significant ankle sprain, has been ruled out against the Steelers as Sean McVay and the Rams staff decide how to handle the possibility he too may be put on IR.

Zach Evans is the presumptive guy to get the nod as the primary ball carrier but the Rams made a couple other moves this week as well. As a rookie, Evans has yet to be asked to carry a game-long load, so it’ll be an area to keep an eye on against an improving Steelers run defense.

https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1714361433037639747?t=z4Hb3IGjP2wJUvd-pxTUxA&s=19

https://twitter.com/CoachspeakIndex/status/1714766579173572792?t=tOcLsppT-6SrWhpxR7tY_A&s=19

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Rams offense notes

Rams receiver Cooper Kupp was able to return from injury in Week 6 and put on a show as WR1 while Puca Nacua received a 34% target share and should remain WR2. Quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Rams have struggled in the second half of games, so how the targets are distributed while trying to keep the run game involved will be a test.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1713679866032480313?t=Nf2nOVQYhFE3xSVaZJ7qLw&s=19

https://twitter.com/RamsNFL/status/1714783463184937448?t=5J0-kvBbm1dSUh78FPgwpg&s=19

https://twitter.com/JB_Long/status/1714713262057754835?t=0dSgyLXeF4EhFVD74zDuhw&s=19

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Wednesday injury report

Pittsburgh will get Pat Freiermuth back into the mix of targets for Kenny Pickett, but as of Wednesday receiver Diontae Johnson was able to practice – as was Anthony McFarland – but remains on the injured/reserved list. Johnson is determined to be available for Sunday per statements he made to the media, however.

Los Angeles listed the following players on their injury/participation report on Wednesday:

LB Ernest Jones – knee (DNP)
DT Larrell Murchison – knee (DNP)
RB Kyren Williams – ankle (DNP)
WR Ben Skowronek – Achilles (limited)
NT Kobie Turner – shoulder (limited)
OL Joe Noteboom – groin (limited)
OL Kevin Dotson – ankle (full)
DB Derion Kendrick – not injury related (DNP)

https://twitter.com/PFF_Rams/status/1714684293736542286?t=JORjJcqvzCs6rFZTigW84w&s=19

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Kendrick, 23, was arrested just hours after the Rams played the Arizona Cardinals in Hollywood (CA) on suspicion of illegal gun possession and was charged with two misdemeanors: carrying a concealed weapon and carrying a loaded weapon. His arraignment was on Wednesday
but it was continued until Dec. 5, a court clerk said. Kendrick was released on his own recognizance.

Before practice on Wednesday, McVay said, “Once I have the totality of the information and all the legal matters are cleared up, I think it will be appropriate for us to be able to move forward [with Kendrick].”